Valium (diazepam) is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). Diazepam affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.

Valium is used to treat anxiety disorders, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, or muscle spasms. Valium is sometimes used with other medications to treat seizures.

Valium may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.Important information about Valium

You should not use Valium if you are allergic to diazepam or similar medicines (Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, Xanax, and others), or if you have myasthenia gravis, severe liver disease, narrow-angle glaucoma, a severe breathing problem, or sleep apnea.

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Do not start or stop taking Valium during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Diazepam may cause harm to an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this medicine for seizures.

Before you take Valium, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, asthma or other breathing problems, kidney or liver disease, seizures, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction, mental illness, depression, or suicidal thoughts.

Do not drink alcohol while taking Valium. This medication can increase the effects of alcohol.

Never take more of this medication than your doctor has prescribed. An overdose of Valium can be fatal.

Valium may be habit forming. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction.Before taking Valium

You should not use Valium if you are allergic to diazepam or similar drugs (Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, Xanax, and others), or if you have:

myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakness disorder);

severe liver disease;

narrow-angle glaucoma;

a severe breathing problem; or

sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep).

To make sure Valium is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions:

a history of mental illness, depression, or suicidal thoughts or behavior; or

a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

Valium may be habit forming. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

FDA pregnancy category D. If you take Valium for anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, or muscle spasms, do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Valium may cause low blood pressure, breathing problems, or addiction and withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy.

See also: Valium pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

If you take Valium for seizures, do not start or stop taking this medicine during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Valium may cause harm to an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking Valium for seizures.

Diazepam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 months old.

The sedative effects of Valium may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking Valium.